Well-Advised: Richard Hallberg

LA-based designer Richard Hallberg is letting us in on his top 10 considerations when creating sophisticated interiors.

LA-based designer Richard Hallberg is letting us in on his top 10 considerations when creating sophisticated interiors.

1 of 10

Richard Hallberg

Fire & Water

It's what I call life's simple luxuries. Having those two elements together in an interior—a fountain in front of a fireplace, for example—is one of those luxuries that is felt rather than seen. A large part of design is responding to nature. The sound of running water, and the warmth and flicker of fire is grounding and brings us back to our roots.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

2 of 10

Richard Hallberg

Mixing Great Contemporary Art and Fine Antiques

I love the juxtaposition of mixing contemporary art and antiques in both traditional, or modern interiors. If you have something with great integrity—a piece of art or beautiful piece of furniture—they have a wonderful language together and really make each other shine.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

3 of 10

Richard Hallberg

Woven Chair from John Himmel

The woven chair from Himmel's Rope Collection was inspired by French designers Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet, who originally made their pieces in the early to mid 20th century from local palm trees in the South of France. It's one of my favorites because it lends a fresh, casual quality to a room but also looks great in outdoor loggias.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

4 of 10

Richard Hallberg

Ingo Maurer Lamp

The shade and base are made of thin, crinkled rice paper so it becomes almost invisible like a ghost lamp. It disappears in a way, but yet you still feel the silhouette. Although it's modern in form, it works well with everything because it is a non-lamp that functions more as sculpture or a piece of art.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

5 of 10

Richard Hallberg

Antique Stone

When I travel to France, I am always in search of the most beautiful pieces of antique stone. Once I find these pieces, I use them as coffee tables, decorative ornaments, all kinds of things for both the garden and interiors. Their rustic authenticity fits comfortably into the mix.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

6 of 10

Richard Hallberg

Natural, Organic Materials as Tables

I'll create custom tables made of rustic stone or stacked pieces of selenite because they are unusual and different. The natural materials give an earthy, sensual feel to the furnishings and it's fun to juxtapose these organic elements with more refined, elegant antiques.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

7 of 10

Richard Hallberg

French 18th-Century Green Faience

I love the quality and craftsmanship of 18th century green faience dinnerware, but it's really the color that throws me. I consider green to be a neutral color because it's borrowed from nature and blends seamlessly with surrounding plants. This dinnerware, in particular, has a brilliant green that is so beautiful and striking. I've collected it for years and can't have enough of it.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

8 of 10

Richard Hallberg

Favorite Chair

The Stratford Arm Chair from Formations is a bobbin-style spindle chair made out of ebonized wood. I designed it as a universal chair that is fun, comfortable and works great in a traditional setting, or even a casual beach house.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

9 of 10

Richard Hallberg

Classical Tall Cabinets

The Regency-style cabinet from Dennis & Leen has a beautiful shape and form. It has a hand rubbed, ebonized finish with 22K gold highlights so it looks very classical, but yet you can use it in a modern interior or mixed with contemporary art.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

10 of 10

Richard Hallberg

Tablescapes

I love collecting and mixing disparate elements from all over the world: 2nd century Roman fragments, Han pottery, semi-precious quartz bowls, antique books, Picasso drawings. The assemblage of objects, bridging the centuries from Roman times to contemporary times, create tablescapes that are really more like still-lifes.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Veranda participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.